“I want to introduce you to someone,” Coach Acevedo said. We huddled by the bus. “This here is Charlie Roth. He’ll be taking Elbows’s place on Clifton United.”
“What happened to Elbows?” Maya asked.
“Elbows isn’t allowed to play for Clifton United this weekend,” Coach Acevedo answered flatly. “Charlie here played on Millwood with Super-Size,” Coach Acevedo said. “Most of you know him as Mega-Man. We’ll be calling him that, too.”
Mega-Man gave a quick wave.
I grabbed the locks above my neck and checked Super-Size. He had his arms folded across his chest and a blank look on his face.
Mega-Man was the kid who’d knocked out Keith Krebs during fall ball. He was the kid whose own teammates didn’t like to hang with. He was Coach Crazy’s son. In my head, when I looked at him, I saw Coach Crazy stalking the sidelines, screaming at his players, and arguing with the refs. I saw Red sitting on the end of our bench, hunched over with his fists shaking in front of his eyes.
“Mega-Man is one of us now,” Coach Acevedo said, patting his shoulder. “Let’s make him feel part of Clifton United.”
“Welcome to Clifton United,” Ms. Yvonne said.
“Welcome to Clifton United, Charlie ‘Mega-Man’ Roth.” Red stepped forward and gave him a pound.
“Thanks, Red,” Coach Acevedo said.
Maya gave him a pound, too. Then some of the others did.
I didn’t. I flipped up my hood and squeezed my head with my arms. Mega-Man was on Clifton United? Why did Coach Acevedo pick Mega-Man?
“As I’m sure most of you know by now,” Coach Acevedo said, “we did resolve our chaperone situation. Rip’s father graciously offered to step in. He’ll be meeting us at the Showdown tomorrow morning.”
A few kids clapped. Diego patted my back.
I dug my hands into the pouch pocket of my hoodie and clenched my fists. Elbows wasn’t coming, Mega-Man was taking his place, and my father was the third chaperone. The best basketball weekend of my life was turning into a disaster!
“When we get on the bus,” Coach Acevedo said, “I’d like for someone to take Mega-Man around and introduce him to everyone.”
Red’s hand shot up first.
“You’re the man, Red,” Coach Acevedo said.
“I’m your man, Coach Acevedo.”
“Yo, do you know our team mantra?” Diego asked Mega-Man.
He shook his head.
“We will rise to the occasion, which is life!” Diego leaped into the middle of the circle and did a jumping three-sixty. “We will rise to the occasion, which is life!”
Most of the kids laughed.
Suddenly, it hit me. Mega-Man was going to be rooming with us. He was going to be in the same hotel room as Diego, Red, and me. Red was going to bug. Had Coach Acevedo thought about this? How was he planning to tell Red? What if Red couldn’t …
“Charlie ‘Mega-Man’ Roth can be in our hotel room,” Red said, hopping. “Charlie ‘Mega-Man’ Roth can take Bomani ‘Elbows’ Taylor’s place in our hotel room.”
“Sounds good to me,” Coach Acevedo said.
I let out a puff. So much for Red buggin’. What did I know anymore?
“You know what would sound good to me?” Diego said, bouncing. “If Coach Acevedo said it was time to go to the Showdown.”
“I’m incredibly proud of each and every one of you,” Coach Acevedo said, drawing a circle in the air with his finger. “At this tournament of champions, you already are the champions.” He patted the bus. “Let’s go to the Showdown!”